The 1-minute adventure series now publishes every Thursday on the BDN site, bangordailynews.com/act-out. Come check out the new page! In addition to this column and video series, Act Out features stories about Maine flora and fauna, conservation and a wide variety of outdoor activities. We also accept guest authors! To stay up to date with […]

Difficulty: Easy to moderate, depending on the weather conditions and how much of the 96-acre pond you explore. Paddling along the shore around the entire pond is a little over 2 miles. How to get there: Take I-95 Exit 244, then turn west on Route 157 and drive about 11 miles to downtown Millinocket, passing […]

Difficulty: Very strenuous. The trail is 5.2 miles, one-way, and has an elevation gain 4,188 feet. The trail is extremely steep while traveling along Hunt Spur, a narrow, rocky ridge on the west side of the mountain. Many sections on the spur require hand-over-foot climbing. A few metal rungs embedded in rocks help hikers navigate […]

Difficulty: Moderate. The trail is especially rocky and measures 1.1 miles from the trailhead to the East Peak. The final stretch of the hike, just before the peak, is steep and features big steps that may not be navigable for some dogs and small children. You can easily add some distance onto your hike by […]

Acadia National Park is one of the most famous destinations in Maine, and for good reason. It’s a place filled with natural beauty. It boasts mountains of pink granite, pristine ponds, bubbling brooks, dramatic sea cliffs and one of the state’s sandiest beaches. Acadia is the outdoor enthusiast’s dream, no matter their abilities or skill […]

Difficulty: Easy. The 0.3-mile trail climbs gradually up Mount Percival, which rises just over 500 feet above sea level. The surface of the trail is forest floor, but it’s not particularly root-filled or rocky. How to get there: From Route 1 in Northport, turn onto Shore Road and drive 0.5 mile, then veer left onto […]

I love finding good deals, whether it’s at a yard sale, auction, thrift store or online marketplace. My husband, Derek, is the same. But we try not to go overboard. We know that if we gave in to all of our whims, we’d end up with a bunch of stuff we don’t actually need. Like […]

Difficulty: Easy to moderate. Leaving some room to meander, it’s about 2.5 miles to paddle from the boat launch to the far end of the pond, at the outlet of McCaslin Stream. Therefore, out and back, it’s about a 5-mile paddle; however, you can always turn around earlier for a shorter paddle. The widest portion […]

Biting insects can be extremely bothersome, and in some cases, dangerous. Mosquitoes, black flies, no-see-ums and deer flies — they all exist in Maine, and they can really make a mark on your skin and your sanity. Unfortunately, the same goes for your dog. There’s nothing quite so pathetic as a pup’s belly covered in […]

I’ll be celebrating the release of my new guidebook, “Dog-Friendly Hikes in Maine,” from 5pm to 7:30pm on Tuesday, June 18, at Epic Sports in downtown Bangor, and I’d love to see you there! (I realize this is very last minute. I’m not the best at advertising myself. However, the event has been listed on […]